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 August 2nd at Moulton Speedway  (Moulton,AL)

$1,500 To Win  -  $125 To Start

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Simmons Holds Off A Strong SMP Field At Checkered Flag For The Win

By: Thomas Montgomery

Hohenwald, TN (June 27th) - The Southern Modified Promotions Open Wheel Series made a return visit to Checkered Flag Speedway in Hohenwald,TN on Friday Night, after the original date was rained out in March. A good field of cars entered the pit area for a shot at the $1,500 winners check. The Open Wheels started their night qualifying, with the Todd's Body Shop Presented By ASi Racewear Group #1 Fast Time Award was up for grabs. After all the cars had qualified, it was Rogersville,AL's #G1 Tony Simmons setting fast time, with a lap of 15.75. The Etheridge Race Parts Group #2 Fast Time Award went to Jonesboro,AR's #R5 Hunter Rasdon, who turned the track in 15.76.

The Star Grafix & Signs Heat Race #1 saw Hurricane Mills,TN driver, #B25 Todd Bates, take the win. #5 Jeff Weaver was second, and #J4 Josh Cherry rounded out the top three. In the Etheridge Race Parts Heat Race #2 it was Paris,TN's #12 Lucas Lee picking up the victory. #98 Eric Hickerson was second, and #85 T.J. Taylor rounding out the top three.

After the 4-wide salute to the fans the stars and cars of the SMP was ready to rock and roll for 35 laps around the tight bull ring. At the start it was Simmons leading the first lap, with Rasdon in second and #H17 Steven Holcomb running in third. A caution came out after the field completed a lap. The restart saw Rasdon get beside Simmons for the lead. Simmons cleared him coming out of turn 4. Holcomb got by Rasdon for second on lap 3. The top 5 cars were battling it out, as the crowd came to it's feet. A caution on lap 6 slowed the field, and let the fans and drivers catch their breathes. Rasdon went to the extreme bottom to get by Holcomb for second. Rasdon however, bobbled a lap later in turn two, allowing Holcomb and #55 Michael Lee to get by him. A caution came out and saved Rasdon before a lap had been scored. On the restart Holcomb pushed high in turn four and Lee and #1 T.J Herdon got by him. Rasdon had problems on lap 14, as he lost a tire off the rim. He would go to the pits and get the tire changed. Simmons lead the field back to green with Lee and Herndon battling to get to the front. On lap 16, Holcomb slowed coming out of turn 4 and collected #74 Doug Harrington, who was running in sixth. Both drivers night was over. Herndon got beside of Lee for second on the restart. Herndon immediately began putting pressure on Simmons for the lead. Herndon got beside of Simmons, and just about had the leader passed, until another caution came out. Herndon was not going to give it up, as the duo was again going side by side just after the restart. Simmons cleared Herndon and continued to lead the race. Herndon pushed and allowed Lee to get back by for second in the late stages of the race. After the white flag came out, #76 Randy Zeigler's motor caught fire while he was running fourth. The race stayed green and Lee and Herndon stayed close, but could not find their way around Simmons, as "The Rogersville Rocket" picked up his second win of the year with the SMP Open Wheel Series. He was the first repeat winner of the year for the series. Lee was second, Herndon third, #15 Henry Hanger was fourth, and #5 Jeff Weaver rounded out the top five. Rounding out the top ten was #88m Jamie Mann, #98 Eric Hickerson, Zeigler, #12B Ron Bailey, and #S13 Brad Skinner.

The next action for the Southern Modified Promotions Open Wheel Series will be "The O'Reilly Auto Parts Firecracker Weekend Shootout". The event is a double-header weekend, beginning first July 4th at West Tennessee Motor Speedway in Lexington,TN. The next night (July 5th), the series will return to Milan Speedway in Milan,Tn. Both races pay $1,500 to win and $125 to start. There is a $60 entry fee per race. Also...the two track owners, Steve Ross of West Tennessee Motor Speedway and Cotton Rimmer of Milan Speedway has joined together and is putting up a bonus of $500 to the driver who accumulates the most points for the weekend.

 

Simmons "Rockets" To SMP Win At Winchester

By: Thomas Montgomery

Winchester, TN (June 14th) - The Southern Modified Promotions Open Wheel Series was at Winchester Speedway in Winchester,TN on Saturday for "The Little Rebel 35". There were 17 cars in attendance to take a shot at the Todd's Body Shop Presented By ASi Racewear Group Fast Time Award. Winning the award and setting fast time was Falkville,AL's #12 Chad Winkles, with a lap of 14.980. The Etheridge Race Parts Group #2 fast qualifier was Spring Hill, TN driver, #13 Brad Skinner, with a 15.250 lap.

The top 3 qualifiers were locked in from the two groups in qualifying, and the rest of the field would be set through the two heat races. The other two drivers from group #1 that were locked in was #59 Alan Holmes and #G1 Tony Simmons. The Group #2 drivers also being locked in were #4 Jason Maurer and #93 Eddie Rhinehart. In the Star Graphix & Signs Heat Race #1, it was Shelbyville's,TN's #21 Joel Landers picking up the win. Second went to #1* Shannon Davis and third went to #76 Randy Zeigler. The Etheridge Race Parts Heat Race #2 was won by Winchester,TN's #15 Henry Hanger, with #1 T.J. Herndon in second, and #32 Colt Russell was third.

With the field set, the SMP Open Wheels Series drivers and a very strong group of local drivers lined up for the 35-lap feature, all looking for the shot at the $2,000 top prize for the winner. At the drop of the green, Winkles and Skinner side by side until Skinner grabbed control of the lead. Caution came out on lap 1, for the #x100 of Mark Haddon with a flat tire. The race continued, but another caution on lap 3 slowed the race again, as #59 Alan Holmes stopped on the track with a flat tire. A couple of cars on the move was the #1* Shannon Davis and #1 T.J. Herndon. On lap 8 Skinner pushed high and lost three positions, as Winkles bolted into the lead with, #G1 Tony Simmons and Davis in second and third. Herndon got by #21 Joel Landers for 5th on lap 10. Holmes started making his way through back through the field, as he found himself in sixth on lap 13. Herndon got by Skinner for fourth on lap 14. Holmes would get by Skinner for fifth on lap 17. Herndon got by Davis for third on lap 22. A caution on 23 would bring the field back together. On the restart, Holmes would get by Davis for fourth. Winkles continued to lead, as Simmons and Herndon battled for the second spot. On lap 28 Davis would move to the infield of the track, as his night ended with mechanical problems. Holmes and Herndon made contact coming out of turn four getting by a lapped car. No caution was needed and both cars were able to continue, but Holmes lost fourth to Skinner. The caution flag waived on lap 32, as Skinner and Holmes got together in turn four. The caution was charged to Holmes and he drove his car to the pits. On the restart, Winkles pushed high allowing Simmons (The Rogersville Rocket), to get under him and battle for the lead. Winkles pushed again on lap 33, and Simmons capitalized on the mistake and took the lead. On lap 34 Herndon got by Winkles for second. Meanwhile, it was Rogersville, AL's Simmons picking up his first SMP Series win, with Herndon finishing second, Winkles in third, #93 Eddie Rhinehart fourth, and #32 Colt Russell rounded out the top five. Finishing six through ten was #5 Jeff Weaver, #76 Randy Zeigler, #02 Keith Sneed, #15 Henry Hanger, and #21 Joel Landers.

                  Weaver Takes Thunderhill Raceway SMP Win

By: Thomas Montgomery
 
Summertown, TN (May 31st) - The Southern Modified Promotions Open Wheel Series made it's second appearance of the year at Thunderhill Speedway in Summertown,TN on Saturday for the "Thrill On The Hill 35". The night started off with 22 cars taking a shot at the Todd's Body Shop Presented By ASi Racewear Group #1 Fast Time Award. Winning the award and setting fast time was Columbia,TN's #5 Jeff Weaver, with a lap of 13.613. The Etheridge Race Parts Group #2 fast qualifier was Lawrenceburg, TN driver #93 Eddie Rhinehart.
 
  The top 4 qualifiers were locked in from the two groups, and the rest of the field would be set through the two heat races. In the Star Graphix & Signs Heat Race #1, it was Linden,TN's #B25 Chris Hickerson jumping into the lead at the outset, and cruising to the win. Second went to Pulaski,TN's #02 Kevin Daniels and third went to Shelbyville, TN's #21 Joel Landers. The Etheridge Race Parts Heat Race #2 was won by Hohenwald, TN's #38 T.J. Taylor, with Sardis, MS's #3 Greg Welch in second, and Clifton, TN's #7 Steve Maughan was third.
 
  With the field set, the stars and cars of the SMP Open Wheels Series lined up for the 35-lap feature, all looking for the shot at the $1,500 top prize for the winner. At the green, it was Weaver powering to the lead, with Rhinehart and #44 Randy Todd close behind. Coming out of turn 4, Todd lost momentum and lost third to #98 Eric Hickerson. A caution came out on lap 2 as Taylor spun around in turn 4. Another caution quickly came out on the restart, as #26 Jamie Richardson looped his ride around. During the caution Hickerson pulled off the track due to mechanical problems. On lap 4, #G1 Tony Simmons and #1 T.J. Herndon got by Todd, moving him to fifth. Weaver started putting some distance between himself and Rhinehart. Herndon and Simmons had a good battle going for third when #76 Randy Zeigler's engine let go on lap 9, ending the night of the driver who came into the race second in points. Simmons started putting pressure on Rhinehart for second. Simmons would get by a lap later. Another caution on lap 13 slowed the field, as the #H17 Steven Holcomb and #21 Joel Landers got together while running in the top ten. Simmons began battling Weaver for the lead and Herndon turned the heat up on Rhinehart for third. Herndon got by Rhinehart on lap 16. Weaver and Simmons went side by side for a few laps until a caution came out on lap 23 with Weaver showing the way. By this time, the car on the move was #12 Chad Winkles, as he had moved up to seventh after starting in the last row. On lap 24, Todd got by Rhinehart for fourth. Herndon joined Weaver and Simmons, as a three way battle for the lead ensued. A caution on lap 28 allowed the drivers and the fans to catch their breaths, as the racing action all around the track kept the fans on the edge of their seats. Simmons night would end a few laps later, as the points leader entering the race, lost the drive shaft on his car going down the back stretch. This put Weaver, Herndon, and Todd as your top three. Winkles began putting pressure on Todd for third. The final caution flew on lap 33, setting up a green-white-checker finish. On the restart, Herndon pulled a wicked slide job on Weaver to got by him. Herndon's momentum however, carried him too high and allowed Weaver to shoot past under Herndon to regain the lead. Weaver then went on to lead the final lap and a half for the win. Herndon finished second, Todd was third, Winkles fourth, and Landers rounded out the top five. Finishing sixth through tenth was #13 Brad Skinner, Holcomb, #4 Jason Maurer, #54 Andy Hunt, and #95 Mike Dale.

"The Atwood Outlaw Captures "Comp Cams Triple Crown Challenge" Race #1 Win At West Tennessee"

                                      By: Thomas Montgomery

Sparta,TN (April 19th) - With rain hampering the early stages of the SMP Open Wheel Series schedule, it was great to have a break and finally see some racing action. The series was at West Tennessee Motor Speedway, in Lexington,TN, on Saturday night for race #1 with the "Comp Cams Triple Crown Challenge" after raining out the previous night. There were 23 modified drivers signing in the for the race, and everyone was bracing for a super fast event on the high banks. The evening began with group qualifying, and the "Todd's Body Shop Fast Qualifier Presented by ASi Racewear" would be Atwood,TN driver #1 "The Atwood Outlaw" T.J. Herndon, with a lap of 13.986, to put him on the pole for the feature. The "Etheridge Race Parts Group #2 Fast Qualifier" was Arlington,TN's #15 Shane Stephens with a time of 14.350, putting him on the outside of the first row. Each group locked in the top 2 qualifiers into the feature. Following Herndon in the first group was Jackson,TN's #56 Jonathan Rowan with a lap of 14.158. In group #2 it was Munford,TN's #07 Ben Reed behind Stephens with a 14.576 lap.

The remaining cars in each group ran 10 lap heat races to set up the feature line-up. In the "Star Grafix & Signs Heat Race #1", it was Rogersville'AL's #G1 Tony Simmons taking the win, with #12 Lucas Lee and #11 Mark Stephens rounding out the top three. Sardis,TN's #3 Greg Welch took the "Etheridge Race Parts Heat Race #2" win, with #18 Matthew Cooper and #21 Joel Landers rounding out the top three.

With the field set, it was time for the 25 lap "Comp Cam Triple Crown Challenge Race #1". At the start it was Herndon jumping into the lead, with Shane Stephens and Reed in tow. A caution came out on lap 1, as Shane Stephens lost a drive shaft in turn three. A couple of attempted starts were foiled by cautions and Stephens would get back out on the track before another lap was scored. On the restart Reed put tremendous pressure on Herndon. Reed kept dive bombing the bottom of the track to get under Herndon, but couldn't slip by. #G1 Tony Simmons got loose while running 3rd and lost the position to #12 Lucas Lee. After a lap 2 caution for #12 Junior Lemmings, Reed again applied the pressure on Herndon. A pile-up in turn 3 brought out another caution, as #11 Jake Tucker, #6T Tyler Dutton, #00 Jeff Howell, and Lemming were involved. Lemming, Tucker, and Dutton would retire to the pits. The restart would see Reed pull an awesome power slide on Henrdon in turns 3 & 4 to take the lead, only to see the caution come out as #66 Terry Kerbough stopped on the track. On the restart Herndon made his way to the bottom in the corners to counter Reed's advances. On lap 8 Kerbough brought out the caution once again, as this time he was done for the night. Lucas Lee got by Reed on lap 9 for second. Shane Stephens got by #55 Michael Lee for sixth and was pressuring his uncle #11 Mark Stephens for fifth. Shane Stephens and Michael Lee got by Mark Stephens for fifth and sixth on lap 11. Shane Stephens got by Simmons for fourth on lap 12. Lucas Lee dropped to the infield on lap 15 ending his good run. Shane Stephens began to pressure Reed for second. Shane Stephens, for the second time in the race, lost a drive shaft and went to the pits on lap 20. On the restart, Reed tried to get by Herndon once. Herndon however, in his Shaw by Taylor Chassis/Tucker Automotive Race Engine ride, flew to the checkers and picked up the $1,500 top prize, as well as the point lead in the "Comp Cams Triple Crown Challenge". Reed was 2nd, Simmons 3rd, Michael Lee 4th, and Mark Stephens rounded out the top 5. #76 Randy Zeigler finished 6th, #00 Jeff Howell 7th, #47 Robert Baker 8th, #99 Brandon Poppenheimer 9th, and #21 Joel Landers rounded out the top ten.

     "Jason Sullivan Powers To SMP Modified Win At Thunderhill Raceway"

                                         By: Thomas Montgomery

Sparta,TN (March 22nd) - The Southern Modified Promotions Open Wheel Series held their innaugural race Saturday night at Thunderhill Raceway in Summertow